I need help with my network

Hey
I have the D-LINK DI 704P and I started to hook up my 4 computers to a network and I have a couple of problems.

Heres what I did:
a. I connected the router to all the computers.
b. I configured a netword on my main computer (XP PRO)
c. Used the floppy disk to set up the network on another laptop
(XP PRO).
d. I couldnt see any of the computers on my network. So I
added a network place on each computer and enabled sharing
on my main drive. And it worked (I dont know if its the right
way, so could anyone tell me if this is how it is supposed to
be?)
e. I used the floppy disk on my dads laptop (98 SE) and for some
reason I cant see any computers from it nor see it from the
other computers.

Problems:
1. The 2 computers that I currently connected are fine except
that I cannot access the PROGRAM FILES folder from one
computer to another.
2. The problem with Windows 98 SE that I explaind above.
3. Is this how I am supposed to set up the network (make a
network place on each computer)?

note:
I have another computer with XP Home that is not connected yet. And Im gonna connect my broadband connection to the router in a day, so can someone please tell me how to configure it?

I am having a simmliar problem, I have 2 windows xp pro computers and 1 win 98 the 98 computer cannot print or view the other computers, but will receive some of our DSL internet service. The xp computers do not have any problem. I do not think that your xp home computer will have any problem. I am going to watch this thred for a solution to my problem too.

Set a static IP for each computer. Do not let the DHCP in the router assign the IP address. Turn off the entire system i.e. computers, router, modem, etc.. Let it set for 5 to 10 minuets and then restart the entire system.

90.0.0.xxx, is that a private range? Never heard of it. Only use private ranges, like 10.0.0.xxx or 192.168.xxx.xxx.

Why use static IP? Just a bunch of hassle. Use DHCP. I have the DI-704P myself and it works very well. The router has a configuration wizard* and is configured and done in less than 5 min. Love it. :happy: Just plug all the computers in and set them to automatic IP. They will get 192.168.0.xxx. Sharing should still work.

About the Program Files folder. This is blocked for security reasons by default. You have to set the permissions of the folder manually. Same thing with the Windows and Documents and Settings folders.

*Go to http://192.168.0.1. Log in and click on the wizard button. If you change the password you must log in again.

Suppose your street address changed every time someone sent you a letter. That wouldn't matter if each letter were a unique one-time event (analogous to a dynamic IP) but what if you want to be sure that thousands of letters can find you at the same location today that you were at yesterday? You need a static street 'address' to support that. Post Office service is bad enough without asking a postman to calculate your address each time a letter comes your way.

It is not just a bunch of hassle as you say. It is very easily done and every time you boot up a computer on you LAN the other computers do not have to try and figure out who the new guy on the block is because of the new IP that DHCP has assigned. As well if the DHCP assigns a new IP to a computer that previously had been on the LAN and the other computers have already bookmarked links to the old IP, those links are now invalid there by causing confusion for the operator. If a static IP is used then every time a computer is booted everything stays the same and life is sweet. This method works very well for me and others as well.

In fact, because there is a timeout period of several days for IP number allocation (the default is usually 3 days I think), the overall effect is that each PC usually retains the same IP number anyway.

It is possible to set the DHCP server to allocate numbers automatically only within a certain range - say 192.168.0.50 to 192.168.0.250. This will give you the opportunity to assign IP numbers to more than 50 PCs or (more usually) Servers, Printers & Routers, etc. Things that absolutely must be assigned static IP numbers. Leaving 200 numbers to be assigned dynamically.

So BOTH systems are prefectly feasible and can coexist quite easily.

Why make life difficult for yourself. Use both if necessary - or dynamic if not.

Apart from a few games servers, and some highly specialised security conscious software, I can't think of any reason to use static IP in a home network. Even most stand alone printers can handle dynamic IP these days.

Theory and the real world are 2 different things. To anyone who may read this, when I use DHCP (dynamic) I have the same problems that are expressed every week on the forums. When I use static all the problems go away.

Setting fixed IP numbers is fine in a small home network, if you know what you're doing and use an unrouteable range, such as 192.168.0.x or 10.x.x.x (there are a couple of others), and know how to guard against attack from external sources.

But the prospect of going round to several thousand PCs, maintaining a registry of PCs-IP numbers and physically visiting each one is a job for a masochist.

If dynamic IP works in a business environment, (and it does work, believe me), then it works at home too.

I guess you have problems because you're running a game server or something. Am I right?

Originally posted by RobAnt Setting fixed IP numbers is fine in a small home network, if you know what you're doing and use an unrouteable range, such as 192.168.0.x or 10.x.x.x (there are a couple of others), and know how to guard against attack from external sources.

But the prospect of going round to several thousand PCs, maintaining a registry of PCs-IP numbers and physically visiting each one is a job for a masochist.

If dynamic IP works in a business environment, (and it does work, believe me), then it works at home too.

I guess you have problems because you're running a game server or something. Am I right?

Click to expand...

If dynamic IP works for a business environment then why when one goes into a business where are all of there devices (100's of them) are marked with an outside sticker that gives there IP address? If they were all dynamic why would you care what there IP is? Things must work different in your world....

I am not trying to be a butt, just wondering why it seems to work one way for some of us and another way for some.

If dynamic IP works for a business environment then why when one goes into a business where are all of there devices (100's of them) are marked with an outside sticker that gives there IP address? If they were all dynamic why would you care what there IP is? Things must work different in your world....

Click to expand...

Like I said, some older kit can't handle dynamic IP.

Plus, in larger environments it is a big task to go round to each PC and change the settings. Some IS/IT departments are underfunded and don't have the time or money to go round changing their legacy ways (even though it might be more beneficial to them in the long run).

It's not the sort of thing you can really roll out with SMS or ZENworks because you'd be changing the infrastructure of the network. So scale and time/cost benefits need to be factored in. And lets face it, if you have an environment that's working, why change it without good reason.

However, in a modern business environment, without a long history, I think you'd be hard pressed to find anyone doing that now.

I haven't been anywhere where the IP numbers of PCs are listed on stickers on them for a long time, actually - perhaps we're more up-to-date here in the UK. But double check those stickers - are they IP numbers or inventory numbers?

I have checked the numbers and they are IP address. In the places where I have seen this type of labeling they do not want to spend money on updating so your response does make since.

I think as well the IT department does not want to do anything that could cost them there jobs...:happy:
By using the dynamic structure and causing a low maintenance environment this could happen..........

ok i have the same router
i had the same problem
i have 3 comptuers all on XP
there where 2 things that got rid of my errors
#1 add a password to your XP login
#2 goto sharing and permissions and make sure the everyone has allow privledges (right click the HD then properties.. then sharing then permissions)
that should fix it
might need a reboot
email me if u have more problems i probably wont be back to check these forums againcelticfan11@aol.com